Responsibility has always been an interesting idea for me. There are two kinds of responsibility really. One which you decide to have and which that you don't. Responsibility is very similar to accountability, basically taking control of seeing something through to the end is 'getting it done'.

This means you have choice as to how and which means you will go about achieving this. That said, in most cases these choices are those that will see this ‘thing’ through in the way you want. And this might be the specific way you want it to be done to 'get it done'. So essentially, its about having options and more importantly choosing your options all along the way. That’s the power of responsibility. This process of continual choice/ selection is essential. With this ability to choose, you have the additional requirement that your choices do in fact help and do not hinder the process of 'getting it done' because at end end of the day, getting it done and not getting it done is the result that is associated with you.

You can become responsible by choosing to such as having a child, getting married or hiring a person in which case you've decided that you'll try to make the right choices along the way for these goals to be achieved. Raising a child, a marriage, running a company, all needs to be successful. So taking ownership of this responsibility is a big deal.

On the other hand, not having these goals would not necessitate the responsibility and the need for choice selection that comes with it.

Apart from having to make more choice selections and taking ownership of the result, why would you want responsibility? Simply put, to achieve goals. But more than this mostly it’s your goals.

Another reason perhaps is the possibility of achievement being rewarding. Also, perhaps being more 'useful' resource and having more say in things that affect you and others in reaching your goal is what you want. Further more, your opinion being consulted more often and being exercised is desirable : being useful to others is also desirable. Perhaps all this gains you respect.

All these aspects of having responsibility are possible reasons why you additionally want responsibility. But what if you are given responsibility? What if the goal is not yours? Do you still want these effects of responsibility?

As an example, perhaps you will gain respect and 'usefulness' and this is why you accept new responsibility. Perhaps if someone's  end goal helps you reach yours, then there is more reason to take the responsibility. But surely responsibility in pursuit of the side effects,namely respect etc… is going against the ideas behind responsibility itself: reaching your goal? Having to be consulted, being held accountable, being involved in every aspect, is quite a load both physically and psychologically. Something you'd be OK with in pursuit of your goal but would you be so happy if it was in pursuit of someone else's? The selfish gene in effect?

Perhaps for loved ones, you might be OK to take responsibility in order to help them achieve their goal. But if not, surely the seemingly added benefits of responsibility are moot if they jeopardise your happiness as they may contribute to stress and strain etc.…?

Finally, when considering the question, "why do you want responsibility?" Is it to reach your goal or others? Or indeed is it for respect or something similar? And of course, will it make you happy?